# NTSB ERA10CA367: Bell 206, N302MG, Roseville, PA, July 19, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 19, 2010, 07:55 local (11:55 UTC) - Place: Roseville, PA - Coordinates: 41.054164, -76.854446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0542&lon=-76.8544&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA367 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76688/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76688 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA367 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter stated that he was conducting an aerial application flight over a river. He completed a site survey, noted wires in close proximity to the site, and began application at an altitude of 40 feet. The pilot stated that approximately three quarters of the way across the river, he "momentarily lost sight" of the power lines. The main rotor blades struck the power lines, and the pilot maneuvered the helicopter over a shallow water area. The helicopter lost anti-torque control and the pilot performed a hovering autorotation to the river, where it impacted rocks and rolled to the right. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter, and that the accident could have been prevented with a more thorough examination of the spray site and adjustment of the spray pattern. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter stated that he was conducting an aerial application flight over a river. He completed a site survey, noted wires in close proximity to the site, and began application at an altitude of 40 feet. The pilot stated that approximately three quarters of the way across the river, he "momentarily lost sight" of the power lines. The main rotor blades struck the power lines, and the pilot maneuvered the helicopter over a shallow water area. The helicopter lost anti-torque control and the pilot performed a hovering autorotation to the river, where it impacted rocks and rolled to the right. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter, and that the accident could have been prevented with a more thorough examination of the spray site and adjustment of the spray pattern. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N302MG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302MG-2011-03-03), registration cancelled 2011-03-03, S/N 2956, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2956 - Airframe hours: 7089 - Engines: Rolls Royce C250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Helicopter Applicators, Inc - Registered owner: Helicopter Applicators, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 2010 - Departed: SEG, Selinsgrove, PA - Destination: SEG, Selinsgrove, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 12,342 total, 3,962 in this make and model, 12,225 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: SEG, 16 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100719043249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100719043249A), Jul 19, 2010: Bell 206B-III, Substantial damage. While spraying susquehanna river for black fly. Pilot lost track of wires crossing river in the area being sprayed. While pulling out of spray run aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76688. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.